Description
Liriope – Lilyturf –
There are about 5 species of clump forming, rhizomatous and tuberous, evergreen and semi evergreen perennials in this genus. They occur in usually acidic woodland habitats in China, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Japan. They have arching, linear, grass like, radical leaves, forming dense clumps or mats. Small, ovoid to spherical flowers which range in color from white through pale pink, open only slighly, are cluster in short, dense spikes or racemes, and are followed by black berries. Grow in a border or as a groundcover.
Grow in light, moderately fertile, preferably acidic, moist but well drained soil in sun to partial or full shade, shelter from cold, drying winds. Divide in spring.
Prone to anthracnose, leaf spot, root rot, and slugs.
L. muscari ‘Variegata’ – L. graminifolia var. densifllora – L. platyphylla – Big Blue Lilyturf – This is the most common species grown, it is a thick, clumping tufted, evergreen, tuberous perennial grows 12-24″ tall and 18″ wide. It produces linear to strap shaped, shining cream-yellow edged, green leaves, 10-18″ long. From early to late autumn from purple-green stems it carries dense spikes of bright violet bell shaped flowers, to 3/8″ across.
Zones 6-10
